Ever since China began expanding its visa-free travel and 72/144-hour visa-free transit policies to more countries last year, have you had any friends or family members who have come to Beijing to visit since then? Anyone you know planning to come? What sort of essential tips would you give them? The Beijinger is running a new series providing such essential tips for short-term visitors to the capital. We hope it’ll make things easier for overseas visitors, and help make your life easier inviting and receiving visitors from back home. Check it out and give us your feedback below!
Given China’s long history, Beijing is home to dozens of restaurants that have stood the test of time – some of them have been serving customers – even emperors – for centuries. Locally referred to as “Laozihao” (老字号) or “time-honored brands”, there are some 70 of these establishments in Beijing. Here are a few must-try spots.
Quanjude 全聚德
Quanjude is the most famous restaurant chain for Peking Duck, the hallmark dish of traditional Beijing cuisine. Quanjude uses a special roasting method in which an entire duck slowly rotates in a cylindrical oven with fire at the bottom, ensuring crispy skin and a rich, smoky flavor. Other recommended dishes include webbed duck feet with mustard, and black pepper chestnut stuffed mushrooms.
30 Qianmen Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区前门大街30号
Hours: Daily, 11am-2.30pm; 4.30-9pm
Contact: 010 6511 2418
Donglaishun Restaurant 东来顺饭庄
You can’t try Chinese cuisine without trying hotpot. A large copper or metal kettle is placed in the center of the table and filled with a mild, seasoned broth. Diners then dip or place ingredients in the soup, which is cooked in under a minute, sometimes seconds. At Donglaishun, the most popular item to dip is thinly-sliced mutton.
Other dishes to try include spiced lamb skewers, grilled lamb leg on an iron plate, and Donglaishun traditional pickled sweet garlic, a digestive aid which leaves surprisingly no smell afterward.
51 Xirongxian Hutong, Xicheng District
西城区西绒线胡同51号
Hours: Daily, 11am-9pm
Contact: 010 6608 1668
Qingfeng Steamed Bun Shop 庆丰包子铺
Chinese fast food is often represented by steamed buns, just as American fast food is synonymous with burgers and fries. Qingfeng is healthier, fresher, and lighter than its Western counterparts. From kids to senior citizens, everyone finds something enjoyable in one of Qingfeng’s steamed buns. Soft on the outside and rich with flavor on the inside, customers can choose from almost 100 types of fillings. Other side dishes include fried liver, porridge, noodles, and dumplings.
57-5 Dengshikou Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区灯市口大街57-5号
Hours: Daily, 6.30am-9pm
Contact: 010 6526 5357
Moscow Restaurant 莫斯科餐厅
The oldest foreign restaurant in Beijing is the Moscow Restaurant, also nicknamed “Lao Mo” (Old Mo, for Old Moscow) by scholars, literary figures, and political celebrities in the 20th century who frequented the place. It has a traditional Russian garden and a grand dining hall filled with historic art, furniture, and cultural performances. Since its opening in 1954, Chinese government officials have held many diplomatic galas here. Recommended dishes include braised beef, Moscow borscht, creamy truffle mushroom soup, baked fish with cream sauce, Moscow-style roast sausages with sauerkraut, and capital salad with foie gras.
135 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng District
西城区西直门外大街135号
Hours: Daily, 11am-9pm
Contact: 010 6831 6758
Bianyifang 便宜坊
If you are looking for a more affordable Peking Duck option than Quanjude, Bianyifang might be your choice. The restaurant offers unique takes on traditional Peking Duck, adding sweet and sour flavors to suit younger taste buds. They also offer other duck products like blood curd and duck sushi plates. Other dishes worth sampling include plum yam, Emperor Qianlong cabbage, Prince’s roast lamb, deep-fried meatballs, curry shrimp, mapo tofu (spicy tofu with minced pork), and glacier eggplant.
65-77 Xianyukou Jie, Dongcheng District
东城区鲜鱼口街65-77号
Hours: Daily, 10.30am-2pm; 4.30-9pm
Contact: 010 6713 2536
Emei Jiujia 峨眉酒家
For Sichuan-style food in Beijing, Emei Jiujia is the place to go. Sichuan cuisine is characterized by spices and at times sweetness. The famous kung pao chicken is a classic example of Sichuan cuisine. Recommended dishes at Emei Jiujia include kung pao chicken, dry braised Mandarin fish, Emei cold noodles, and Emei sweet pancakes.
155 Di’anmenwai Dajie, Shichahai Jiedao, Xicheng District
西城区什刹海街道地安门外大街155号
Hours: Daily, 11am-8.30pm
Contact: 010 6404 3097
Huajia Yiyuan 花家怡园
If want the full range of traditional Beijing style cuisine, Huajia Yiyuan may be the best choice. Located in a traditional courtyard house, the restaurant offers homestyle dishes that reflect the eclectic flavors of Beijing. Recommended dishes include Yongzheng roast duck, Hua Family cabbage, kung pao chicken, Beijing Eight Delicacies, Eight Banners lamb ribs, and spicy crayfish.
235 Dongzhimennei Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东直门内大街235号
Hours: Daily, 10.30am-2am
Contact: 010 6403 7802
Makai 马凯
Makai offers Hunan cuisine, which is full of salty and spicy flavors along with some milder options. One signature dish that is surprisingly good is peppered bullfrog legs. Recommended dishes include chopped chili fish head, Xiangyan Dong’an chicken, and black bean sauce veal.
29 Di’anmenwai Dajie, Xicheng District
西城区地安门外大街29号
Hours: Daily, 10.30am-2pm; 4.30-9pm
Contact: 010 6401 1981; 010 6401 8611
Tongchunyuan 同春园
If you enjoy light, healthy dishes with sweet and sour accents, then Jiangsu cuisine is for you. Jiangsu food is very much like the spring: tender yet full of colors and surprises. Everything is fresh and revitalizing, with attention to quality and detail. Recommended dishes include Mandarin squirrelfish, stir-fried eel, crispy duck, and red bean paste buns.
1/F, Shiyue Bldg, 14 Xinjiekouwai Dajie, Xicheng District
西城区新街口外大街14号十月大厦1层
Hours: Daily, 10.30am-1.30pm; 4.30-8.30pm
Contact: 010 6200 3502
Beijing Shaguoju Restaurant 北京砂锅居饭庄
As the capital of China, Beijing is home to imperial cuisine. Eating dishes once adored by emperors and empresses is definitely an elevated experience. You’ll find that royalty prefers quality over quantity, and at times simple food done exquisitely over fancy or complicated. Recommended dishes at Shaguoju Restaurant include casserole meatballs, crystal pork knuckle, braised sea cucumber, fried shrimp, dry braised yellow croaker, and deep fried meatballs.
60 Xisi Nanjie, Xicheng District
西城区西四南街60号
Hours: Daily, 6.30-9am; 11am-9pm
Contact: 010 6602 1126
Meiweizhai Restaurant 美味斋饭庄
Beijing may be grand, but for a period, Shanghai was the most cosmopolitan and decadent city in China. Shanghai cuisine is delicate and refined, with sweet and sour accents, similar to neighboring Jiangsu cuisine. Recommended dishes include pan-fried buns, scallion oil noodles, fried dough with beef, colorful pan-fried buns, braised pork ribs with rice cakes, minced pork tofu, sweet and sour pork ribs, and Shanghai soup dumplings.
1/F, Xiangda Bldg, 167 Guang’anmennei Dajie, Xicheng District
西城区广安门内大街167号翔达大厦1层
Hours: Daily, 11am-2pm; 5-9pm
Contact: 010 6356 7321
Jinyang Restaurant (Hufangqiao Branch) 晋阳饭庄 (虎坊桥店)
Long before Beijing was capital, the ancient capital of China was situated to the west in present day Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Shaanxi flavors are sour and salty, with an emphasis on noodles, breads, and filling proteins. Jinyang offers signature dishes like Jinyang crispy duck, stir fried pork, pork strips with vermicelli, deep fried meatballs, braised Mandarin fish with aged vinegar, and Wenxi cakes.
241 Zhushikou Xidajie, Xicheng District
西城区珠市口西大街241号
Hours: Daily, 11am-2pm; 5-9pm
Contact: 010 6303 1669; 010 6303 7636
Beijing Yuhuatai Restaurant 北京玉华台饭庄
Huaiyang cuisine focuses on the ingredients’ natural flavors and subtle seasoning. You won’t find overwhelming spices or heavy meats here. You’ll likely enjoy each dish’s meticulous preparation process and elegant presentation. We recommend trying tofu ouches, salt and pepper pork ribs, braised eel, quick fried shrimp tails, jade shrimp, and dry braised yellow croaker.
Bldg 23, Yuzhong Xili Community, Yumin Lu, Xicheng District
西城区裕民路裕中西里小区23号楼
Hours: Daily, 6am-9pm
Contact: 010 6200 4206; 010 6200 4206
READ: Beijing Visitor’s Guide: Nightlife Spots by Area
Images: Visit Beijing, Dianping